Tensile has its roots in Ancient History The history of tensile structures and tent-type housing, is as old as mankind itself. Leaves, barks leather and felt, existed much before fabrics. The Ancient Egyptians were probably the first civilization to use pieces of fabric for shade. They also found sails useful for harnessing the power of … Continue reading “Tensile – The New Design Vocabulary in Structure and Architecture”
Entering their fourth year of war against Japan, Chinese military forces were strengthening their air force, producing their own armaments, and training their officers in the methods of modern war. Here, Chinese cadets in full battle dress, they favor the German type of steel helmet, on parade somewhere in China, on July 11, 1940. (AP … Continue reading “WW-II lest we forget..”
Have been awaiting this movie for long. Especially since it is about the coal mafia in Jharkhand. To entrust a topic such as this with Anurag Kashyap is seriously inviting trouble… during the shooting, the film’s assistant director Sohil Shah was killed in an auto accident. The film finished production in late March 2011, with … Continue reading “Gangs Of Wasseypur”
Filmed back in 2009, this TED Talk by Daniel Libeskind has yet to diminish in popularity. Once a free-verse poet, an opera set designer and a virtuoso musician, Libeskind has evolved into an internationally-renowned architect with an illustrious style that has been praised and criticized by many. In just seventeen words, Libeskind describes what inspires his unique approach to … Continue reading “TED Talk: Daniel Libeskind’s 17 words of architectural inspiration”
A hydraulic drive designed specifically for supporting structures, which can automatically compensate loads, has been developed by researchers at the University of Stuttgart in conjunction with Bosch Rexroth. A wooden shell much thinner than considered possible before was constructed for the project. With a thickness of only four centimetres, the shell covers an area of … Continue reading “Maximum load-carrying capacity with minimum material input”
The 10 biggest shopping centres in the world 2012-04-30 00:00:00 Asia’s economic boom is reflected by the development of modern temples of consumerism. Nine out of ten of the biggest shopping centres in the world are now located in Asia. Much more than simply being opportunities for shopping, these centres are increasingly turning into amusement … Continue reading “The 10 biggest shopping centres in the world”
Renovation and extension of King’s Cross Station in London 2012-04-30 00:00:00 Of all the historic train stations in London, King’s Cross (1852) may perhaps be said to have the most beautiful, possibly even the purest design of them all. Two simple yet elegant steel and glass vaults “(250x22x65 m) cover the halls containing eight platforms. … Continue reading “Renovation and extension of King’s Cross Station in London”
I had the good fortune of teaching a semester of lightweight structures at HNGU, Patan. The students made models and explored various aspects of tensile structures, grid structures, geodesic and space frame structures. some of their explorations are in images below. Sculpture with ropes Attention to little details vertical forms too.. The sculpture at the … Continue reading “Semester teaching at School of Architecture at Hemchandracharya North Gujarat University, Patan. 01 / 2011”
A two day workshop was organised by IPSA, Rajkot for introducing students to concepts and applications of tensile structures. This workshop though short on time, was able to cover basic design aspects as the form-finding of such anti-clastic shapes and take them through basic systems of tensile structure. Poster for the workshop Double cone structure … Continue reading “Two day IPSA Rajkot workshop 25 / 06 / 2010”